as Johann already mentioned overwriting all your .py files will not change you database so you should be fine doing that if you do not wan to do this manually you can e.g.
use a version control system and exclude the content of the databases directory then on the client side all you have to do is svn up or hg pull; hg update I have worked with that for a couple of years and it works fine, but there are some small issues that you have to take into account. similar should works with sync tools if they work with ignore patterns or create you own update mechanism. this is what i ended up doing since i do not want extra software on the locations where my client apps run. so I created plugin_release for pyMantis https://sourceforge.net/scm/?type=hg&group_id=304012&source=navbar which is similar to the web2py packaging mechanism (I copied some code) but it does not include the contents of the databases, sessions, and erros directories. Next to the packaging mechanism it also has mechanisms to download and install (unpack, overwrite) these packages based on version numbers. I have used the plugin in several projects over the last year and found it to be quite stable. On Monday, January 21, 2013 10:24:19 AM UTC+1, Johann Spies wrote: > > On 21 January 2013 04:46, animnook <anim...@yahoo.com <javascript:>>wrote: > >> I have a web app on server and I use web2py web interface to update the >> project file. >> But the users wants to add data in db while I am still working on other >> part of the app. >> as right now I just copy and paste everything in controller file local to >> server. >> and upload whatever new pages I create. >> >> Is there a easy way to update everything and not change the data inside >> the database?? >> >> > Uploading a new controller or views will in itself not change anything in > the database. It is the use of the controller functions that may do that. > > Changes to model files (table definitions) will change the database when > you upload them into the server. > > Regards > Johann > -- > Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself, > my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3) > --